Shoe-lace fastener.



T. J. SHAWVER. SHOE LACE FASTENER.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 28, 1912.

Patented Dec. 81, 1912.

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THOMAS J. SHAWVER, OF PRINCESS ANNE, MARYLAND.

SHOE-LACE FASTENEBI.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 31, 1912.

Application filed August 28, 1912. Serial No. 717,650.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, THOMAS J. SHAwvnR, a citizen of the United States, residing at Princess Anne, in the county of Somerset and State of Maryland, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Shoe- Lace Fasteners, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in shoe and glove lace fasteners and the primary object of the invention is to provide a clasp or fastener which may be quickly and readily engaged by a lace to prevent the necessity of tying the same, as is usually the case.

A further object of the invention resides in providing a device which is formed of a single strand of wire looped upon itself a number of times to form a pair of jaws and a still further object resides in providing a fastener which is extremely simple and durable in construction, inexpensive to manufacture and one which will be very eflicient and useful in operation. WVith these and other objects in view, the invention consists in the novel features of construction, combination and arrangement of parts as will be hereinafter referred to and more particularly pointed out in the specification and claims.

In the accompanying drawing forming a part of this application, Figure 1 is a plan view showing my device applied to use on a shoe. Fig. 2 is a vertical longitudinal section through the device as seen on line 22, Fig. 1; and Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the device.

In describing my invention, I shall refer to the drawing in which similar reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout the several views and in which 1 indicates the upper of a shoe which is provided with the usual lace hooks 2 for engagement by the lace 3.

My invention contemplates the elimination of the top lace hooks to obviate the necessity of tying the lace at such points and to this end I provide an improved lace fastener which consists of a single strand of wire 4 bent in substantial serpentine form to define a pair of opposed loops 5 and 6. That portion of the wire forming the loop 6 is again bent and disposed between the arms of said loop, the same being continued to a point beyond the end of the loop 6 and thence returned to form a double spring tongue or the like 7. The tongue 7 1n extending beyond the loop 6, is disposed below the latter and that portion of the tongue 7 which is disposed between the arms of the loop 6, is raised above the plane of the latter as shown at 8, the purpose of which will be hereinafter and more particularly set forth.

The loop 6 and the tongue 7 form substantially a pair of jaws adapted to cooperate with one another and in order to secure the device to the upper, the ends of the wire 4: which continue respectively from the loop 5 and the tongue 7 are coiled to provide respectively the upper and lower eyes 9 and 10. These eyes are disposed immediately one above the other and a rivet or the like 11 is disposed therethrough and also through the upper at the point where the top lace hook is usually provided. An additional rivet 12 is disposed through the outer projecting end of the tongue 7 and also secured to the upper so that the device will be securely held thereto.

A pair of these fasteners are usually provided on the shoe to take the place of the two usual upper lace hooks and when itis desired to secure the ends of the lace therewith, it is only necessary to draw the same between the tongues 7 and the loops 6 of said fasteners.

From the construction shown and described, it will be appreciated that there will be a spring action between the substantial jaw members of each fastener to permit the lace to be readily entered therebetween and as the tongue 7 of each fastener has a portion thereof raised above the plane of the loop 6, it will be understood that the lace after having been once engaged therewith, will be securely retained thereto. Thus the usual tying of the ends of the lace will be obviated and the lace more quickly secured.

It will further be seen that the loop 5 which is disposed opposite to the loop 6, is adapted to form a bearing point for the device as a shoe lace is drawn through the jaws thereof. It will still further be seen that the forming of this loop 5, which is a continuation of the loop 6, will allow the latter loop to have a greater spring action in the use thereof, which is obviously an essential feature.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that I have provided a simple, inexpensive and efficient means for carrying out the objects of the invention and while I have particu larly described the elements best adapted to perform the functions set forth, it is obvious that various changes in form, proportion and in the minor details of construction may be resorted to without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the principles of the invention.

Having thus described this invention, what I claim is 1. As an article of manufacture, a shoe lace fastener consisting of a continuous strand of wire bent to form oppositely disposed loops, the wire of the one loop being again bent and disposed through the latter loop to form a tongue, the ends of said wire continuing respectively from the other loop and said tongue being coiled to form alining eyes.

2. As an article of manufacture, a shoe lace fastener consisting of a continuous strand of wire bent to form oppositely disposed loops a tongue formed from a continuation of the one loop and disposed between the arms of the latter, said tongue having a portion thereof disposed above the plane of said last mentioned loop, the ends of the wire continuing from said tongue and the other of said loops being coiled to provide vertically alining eyes.

3. In a shoe lace fastener, the combination with the upper of a shoe; of a fastener consisting of a continuous strand of wire bent to form a pair of oppositely disposed loops, a tongue formed from a continuation of one of said loops and disposed between the arms of the latter to extend therebeyond, a portion of said tongue being disposed above the plane of said last mentioned loop, means engaged with the outer end of said tongue to secure the same to said upper, the ends of the wire continuing from said tongue and the other of said loops being coiled above and below said loops to provide vertically alining eyes, and means extending through said eyes to additionally secure the device to said upper.

In testimony whereof I hereunto attix my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

THOMAS J. SHAWVER. lVitnesses M. L. Gosrmv, JOHN E. I-IALLoRD.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of latents, Washington, D. G. 

